Welcome to White Raven Art Works

'Old Man of the Sea' Elk Rawhide on Cedar frame, with acrylic ink.

Northwest Coast Native art is essentially the artistic style practiced by the original inhabitants of a thin strip of coastal land from southern Alaska to the mouth of the Columbia River between the Oregon and Washington border. For many years I have been intrigued by the abstract quality and complexity of this art form. The idea that traditional designs can be stretched or compressed to fit a given space, yet maintain the integrity of the image depicted, represents an ideal challenge to my abilities. I have found that there are many levels of creating and experiencing this art. I can create a scene from a traditional story or depict elements telling the entire story. There is the freedom to exercise visual puns, literally turning one creature into another, splitting their images, or rearranging basic elements, all within a visually balanced design. As a self-taught artist, I have experimented with creating images that are small, as well as large murals, and still maintain the integrity of the design. I have participated in many shows since beginning in the early 1990's.